# Romulus — Discourses on Livy character guide

> Romulus in Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

Rome's founder, who killed his brother and a Sabine king to secure a new state, offered by Machiavelli as the model of necessary violence.

## Who they are

Romulus stands at the origin of Rome as the man who understood that founding a city requires deeds no ordinary morality can sanction. Machiavelli cites his killing of Remus and Titus Tatius not as crime but as the grim precondition of lasting institutions, arguing that a founder must sometimes act alone and without apology. His example anchors the Discourses' recurring claim that good ends can justify terrible means.

## Relationships

### [Numa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/numa)

_friendship_

Numa Pompilius, the peaceful second king of Rome, succeeded Romulus, the warlike founder, representing a complementary transition from war to religious law.

## In the story

### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/book-i)

Founder of Rome; his actions in establishing the city and its early institutions are discussed, including the necessity of his fratricide for the founding.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/i)

Founder of Rome, either as a native or stranger, whose laws instituted strict discipline.

### [Of the various kinds of government; and to which of them the Roman commonwealth belonged.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/ii)

Noted as one of Rome's early kings who made good laws but aimed at a kingdom, not a commonwealth.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/ix)

Founder of Rome who killed his brother Remus and consented to the death of Titus Tatius; excused because his actions were for the common good and he later created a senate.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/x)

Praised as a founder who restored Rome, in contrast to Caesar who destroyed it.

### [Of the religion of the Romans](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xi)

First founder of Rome; his institutions were insufficient, leading to the selection of Numa.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xviii)

Mentioned for killing his brother and Titus Tatius to secure sole authority, yet his people were not deeply corrupt.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xix)

First king of Rome, fierce and warlike, whose valour laid the foundation for the city's strength.

### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xlix)

One of the early lawgivers of Rome, providing initial ordinances.

### [Book II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/book-ii)

Founder of Rome, exemplar of virtuous leadership and expansion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/romulus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters